My latest post on Ocean Pulse - A newletter for divers by divers. Check it out! https://oceanpulse.substack.com/p/dahab
Why Dahab Should Be Your Next Diving Destination
From the Point of View of Someone Who Fell in Love and Never Left
That’s me! Taken by @kpowerphotography
Dahab? Where is that? You may have heard of the famous diving destination Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt. Well, Dahab is its little brother just one hour north.
Have you ever watched a movie and seen an idyllic paradise beach town? That’s Dahab! Here you will encounter a laid-back, colourful, multicultural town surrounded on one side by the barren beige desert mountains and the other by the vibrant blue Red Sea.
Diving
I will speak honestly; if you are a diver who seeks thrill solely in large animals such as sharks and whales, then Dahab is not the place for you. But if you are a diver who gets excited by flourishing corals as far as the eye can see, smaller species, warm and calm waters, then you will love it here.
What makes Dahab an even more attractive destination is that all the dive sites are right off the coast, except for a few. So you can stroll into the water and are immediately met by underwater beauty. This convenience means you can enjoy Dahab above water as much as underwater since you are not out on a boat for most of the day.
The water temperature off the coast of Dahab ranges between 22 and 29 Celsius. You can visit any time of the year, but April, May, September, October, and November are the best months.
Dive Centres
Dahab has many dive centers because it is such a popular watersport destination, with freediving and kite surfing also being prevalent here. I believe it’s important for everyone to research which dive centre is best for them, as everyone has different priorities and preferences.
The dive centres in Dahab are active on Tripadvisor, so that’s a great place to start. Whether you are diving for the first time, just completed your Advanced Open Water Course, or are an experienced technical diver, Dahab has options for you!
Most dive centres offer PADI courses, but some also offer GUE, IANTD, and TDI courses. Dahab is also among some of the cheaper destinations to go diving; bonus.
Dive Sites
Time to dive in! I will list some of my absolute must-see dive sites that are bound to provide an unforgettable experience. Dahab diving is separated into four areas: the north, the south, the bay, and surrounding areas that you reach by boat.
The North:
Blue Hole: The Blue Hole is one of the most popular dive sites here. It is a unique phenomenon that you can only experience in very few locations. Here you find a sinkhole where the ground drops hundreds of metres below you. Floating in that never-ending blue is very special.
Canyon: The Canyon is a big crack in the earth which lies at around 20 metres and that you can enter. Descending into this large crack in the earth feels truly exhilarating. Around it, there are many corals and smaller marine species to admire.
The Canyon DIve Site
The South:
Golden Blocks: Unfortunately, the blocks at this site aren’t made of actual gold, but they seem just as valuable with the amount of coral and marine life covering them. You won't be able to stop staring at these majestic blocks.
Golden Blocks DIve Site - photo by @kpowerphotography
Caves: Bring your torch along for this one because there is a large cave that lies between 5 and 20 metres. You can explore the inside and the coral reefs surrounding it.
The Bay:
Lighthouse: The Lighthouse dive area borders on the most popular area of Dahab. The diving here involves luscious reefs filled with a wide array of marine life, and you may even bump into the elephant which lives underwater.
Mashraba: This is another dive site with very easy access and features a combination of seagrass, reefs, and coral formations, housing many different marine species for you to discover. Instead of an elephant, here lives an underwater donkey!
Boat trips:
Gabr El Bint: Gabr E Bint is one of the two areas that many dive centres visit using a boat. The reefs are even more thriving and untouched because there are fewer visitors and human disturbances. This site provides the best chance to spot eagle rays and other larger species near Dahab. Plus, there are coral reefs that stretch out as far as the eye can see.
Abu Gallum: I left this dive site until last because if you want to see coral at its finest, you definitely need to join a trip to Abu Gallum. Just a few kilometres north of Dahab, the corals here are equivalent to what you see on pictures, without editing or a filter!
See Dahab for Yourself!
Does it make sense now that I’m still here in Dahab after three years? There is diving here for everyone, and the town is easygoing, small, full of exciting people. There is also always beautiful scenery and delicious food. So what are you waiting for?
As they would say here in Dahab, ‘Yalla’ - go!
Why Dahab Should Be Your Next Diving Destination
From the Point of View of Someone Who Fell in Love and Never Left
That’s me! Taken by @kpowerphotography
Dahab? Where is that? You may have heard of the famous diving destination Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt. Well, Dahab is its little brother just one hour north.
Have you ever watched a movie and seen an idyllic paradise beach town? That’s Dahab! Here you will encounter a laid-back, colourful, multicultural town surrounded on one side by the barren beige desert mountains and the other by the vibrant blue Red Sea.
Diving
I will speak honestly; if you are a diver who seeks thrill solely in large animals such as sharks and whales, then Dahab is not the place for you. But if you are a diver who gets excited by flourishing corals as far as the eye can see, smaller species, warm and calm waters, then you will love it here.
What makes Dahab an even more attractive destination is that all the dive sites are right off the coast, except for a few. So you can stroll into the water and are immediately met by underwater beauty. This convenience means you can enjoy Dahab above water as much as underwater since you are not out on a boat for most of the day.
The water temperature off the coast of Dahab ranges between 22 and 29 Celsius. You can visit any time of the year, but April, May, September, October, and November are the best months.
Dive Centres
Dahab has many dive centers because it is such a popular watersport destination, with freediving and kite surfing also being prevalent here. I believe it’s important for everyone to research which dive centre is best for them, as everyone has different priorities and preferences.
The dive centres in Dahab are active on Tripadvisor, so that’s a great place to start. Whether you are diving for the first time, just completed your Advanced Open Water Course, or are an experienced technical diver, Dahab has options for you!
Most dive centres offer PADI courses, but some also offer GUE, IANTD, and TDI courses. Dahab is also among some of the cheaper destinations to go diving; bonus.
Dive Sites
Time to dive in! I will list some of my absolute must-see dive sites that are bound to provide an unforgettable experience. Dahab diving is separated into four areas: the north, the south, the bay, and surrounding areas that you reach by boat.
The North:
Blue Hole: The Blue Hole is one of the most popular dive sites here. It is a unique phenomenon that you can only experience in very few locations. Here you find a sinkhole where the ground drops hundreds of metres below you. Floating in that never-ending blue is very special.
Canyon: The Canyon is a big crack in the earth which lies at around 20 metres and that you can enter. Descending into this large crack in the earth feels truly exhilarating. Around it, there are many corals and smaller marine species to admire.
The Canyon DIve Site
The South:
Golden Blocks: Unfortunately, the blocks at this site aren’t made of actual gold, but they seem just as valuable with the amount of coral and marine life covering them. You won't be able to stop staring at these majestic blocks.
Golden Blocks DIve Site - photo by @kpowerphotography
Caves: Bring your torch along for this one because there is a large cave that lies between 5 and 20 metres. You can explore the inside and the coral reefs surrounding it.
The Bay:
Lighthouse: The Lighthouse dive area borders on the most popular area of Dahab. The diving here involves luscious reefs filled with a wide array of marine life, and you may even bump into the elephant which lives underwater.
Mashraba: This is another dive site with very easy access and features a combination of seagrass, reefs, and coral formations, housing many different marine species for you to discover. Instead of an elephant, here lives an underwater donkey!
Boat trips:
Gabr El Bint: Gabr E Bint is one of the two areas that many dive centres visit using a boat. The reefs are even more thriving and untouched because there are fewer visitors and human disturbances. This site provides the best chance to spot eagle rays and other larger species near Dahab. Plus, there are coral reefs that stretch out as far as the eye can see.
Abu Gallum: I left this dive site until last because if you want to see coral at its finest, you definitely need to join a trip to Abu Gallum. Just a few kilometres north of Dahab, the corals here are equivalent to what you see on pictures, without editing or a filter!
See Dahab for Yourself!
Does it make sense now that I’m still here in Dahab after three years? There is diving here for everyone, and the town is easygoing, small, full of exciting people. There is also always beautiful scenery and delicious food. So what are you waiting for?
As they would say here in Dahab, ‘Yalla’ - go!